The All-Italian Hospitality Formula Created by Mario Cardone.

The All-Italian Hospitality Formula Created by Mario Cardone.

M.Z.I. Dalton Zahir :Autentico is not a chain in the traditional sense, but a curated selection of independent hotels that share a precise philosophy: offering discreet, intimate luxury deeply connected to its context. These properties are often historic residences, villas, or boutique hotels located in areas of great cultural or scenic value. The project emphasizes the uniqueness of Made in Italy hospitality, spanning from gastronomy to design and personalized service.

The founder and CEO of the group is Mario Cardone, a highly experienced figure in the Italian tourism landscape, having dedicated over thirty years to the industry—starting from technology and witnessing firsthand all the major digital innovations that today are the daily bread of hospitality.

Cardone brought this deep technical knowledge into luxury management, spending five years at the helm of a prestigious Italian family-owned group. From this experience came the idea to create Autentico: to provide concrete support to family-owned properties that need marketing and distribution tools on par with major international brands.

The CEO of Autentico promotes the concept of a club for independent hotels: properties maintain their identity and ownership but benefit from the strength of centralized marketing, distribution, and branding. Many hotels are committed to enhancing their local territory, which often translates into environmental and social sustainability practices integrated into the luxury experience.

Today, Autentico celebrates its tenth anniversary with a portfolio of 24 five-star hotels, and Mario Cardone gives us a personal portrait in this interview.

What are Autentico’s main strategies for reaching top international buyers?

Our business relies on a commercial network of 40 professionals working year-round for our properties. They meet more than 1,000 buyers in 25 countries worldwide.

We focus primarily on high-end markets and participate in the most important luxury tourism fairs. This effort is built on relationships developed over ten years, which have allowed us to build a database of over 13,000 agencies specializing in our segment.

Which countries or regions do you consider priorities, and why?

We are present in 25 of the world’s top 30 luxury tourism markets. Naturally, Americans represent a significant share of our guests—not only U.S. travelers but also Mexicans and Brazilians. Then, of course, there’s the Middle Eastern market, as well as India and Australia.

Has the loss of the Russian market been significant for you?

Russians were our fifth-largest market until the war. Now we have lost 80% of that market.

What characteristics do international buyers look for today in an Italian luxury property?

Buyers seek authenticity and a clear identity. More and more, travelers want a place where they feel welcomed but, above all, where they can have an experience. So, while service and all the mandatory comforts for high-end foreign tourists must be present, what matters increasingly is the property’s ability to offer local experiences in close contact with the territory. These can be food and wine experiences or even details like the courtesy lines used by the property; in any case, they must reflect local traditions and uniqueness.

Another key factor for buyers is the property’s genuine commitment to sustainability, caring for both the environment and the territory.

How much do sustainability and social responsibility influence the concept of contemporary luxury?

Guests are increasingly informed when they arrive at a hotel, and sustainability has become a decisive criterion. They almost always check whether the property is truly sustainable, have zero tolerance for plastic, and pay attention to certifications—which, for us, are an important driver for being chosen. Autentico holds international certifications: DCA ESG, compliant with the European anti-greenwashing directive, and GSTC, based in the U.S. and focused on natural themes.

What is the definition of luxury today?

Luxury is increasingly less ostentatious. It is certainly subjective—everyone has their own concept of luxury—but for many today, it means the opportunity to disconnect from hectic rhythms, to have more time for oneself, for reading, meditation, and relaxation. True luxury is therefore linked to time and how we feel, rather than what we own. We have moved from the era of “having” to that of “being.” The person has become more important than possessions or status symbols. Emotions matter more. Consequently, luxury in a hotel is the ability to offer experiences that generate emotions.

Every hotel has a story: is there one that best represents Autentico’s philosophy?

All of them. Being family-owned properties, each carries the heritage of its family history. We are a collection of family stories, each with its own hospitality philosophy. Diversity is our heritage—just as diversity is Italy’s greatest asset.

How do you enhance local traditions and the people who make each hotel unique?

Each property offers a range of experiences based on its territory—from harvesting fruits and vegetables in the garden and joining a cooking class with the chef, to wine tastings in the cellar, and even artisan workshops with stone and ceramics. Guests can enjoy historical and scenic itineraries through some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, in endless variety. Italy offers so much to create experiences that become unforgettable memories. All properties naturally meet five-star standards, but each with its own interpretation. Guests love this: satisfaction scores reach 9.2 out of 10, which is quite rare in the sector.

What is the most “authentic” detail guests notice when staying at one of your properties?

The presence of the owners. Direct contact with the family who created the property and sharing experiences together is one of the aspects most often positively highlighted by guests.

What do you expect from your support for BIT?

The Buyer Lounge, sponsored by us, will be a welcoming space to relax or work with every comfort. In addition, on February 10 we have organized a major event to close the exhibition.